Mohave County miner., 1887-10-29
WASHINGTON LETTER.
trRoM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT. }

Even thus early active preparations are
in progress for the long session Of Con.
gress, which will meet ON the first Mon
day in December. Many Congressman
from the neighboring States can be al
most daily seen on the thoroughfares of
the Federal City, seekingo out their winter
quarters, and looking after the immediate |
wants Of their constituents. 1t is the gen. |
eral opinion of well posted politicians
that the Fiftieth Congress will be busy
and stormy body, as much important
legislation will be considered, especially
in regard to the surplus, the tariff and
pensions, seven Of the latter bills already
being in course Of incubation, TO say
nothing OF projected legislation on the
labor and railroad questions. And then
each OF the great parties believes that it is |
possible TO practically decide the next
Presidential election by its course next
winter.
Another indication Of the near advent
of Congress is the stir and hustle in the
various Federal Departments incident TO
the preparation OF the annual reports,
some OF which have already been submit
ted to the Secretaries. These reports re-
view the business Of the past year, and
make pertinent suggestions as to the
needs OF the service, including necessary
appropriations OF funds.
The report Of the Commissioner Of the
General Land Office is Of special interest
on account Of the widespread and far
reaching frauds that have been uncovered
in the acquisition Of the public lands by
soulless syndicates and reckless adven-
turers II Is shown that within the past
two and half years more than thirty-one
million acres Of land have been reclaimed
by the Government; that about five thous-
and land entries were secured by means
of perjury, and that many other disreput-
able and irregular methods were employ
ed by these swindlers TO defraud the
United States.
The Secretary Of the Interior has given
orders TO begin legal proceedings against
Jesse Lee Hall, agent for the Kiowa,
Comanche and Wichita Indians, in the
Indian Territory, upon charges OF NAL"
feasance in office. 1t ia stated at the In
terror Department that the defalcation OF
Hall will probably amount to from s20, 900
TO $50, 600, but as his bond IL for The
latter sum the Government will not lose
anything.
Civil Service Commissioner Obcrly's
aggressive and progressive sentiments,
lately promulgated, find no favor with
partisan spoilsmen, but meet with the
cordial endorsement Of all who would
purify the public service of political in.
fiuence and manipulation. 1t is hoped
that the conservative views OF Mr.. Oberly
will be adopted as the pronounced policy
Of the Civil Service Commission, for such
course would undoubtedly be substan-
tial gain for the canse OF reform that
would meet with popular approval.
Mr.. Graves, Chief Of the Bureau Of
Engraving and Printing, is having some
trouble with the Knights Of Labor, be-
cause he claims that better work can be
done with other machines than with hand
presses in the printing of Treasury drafts,
bonds, stamps and silver certificates.
The Knights say they will bring the con-
troversy to the attention Of Congress,
having already framed bill embodying
their grievance.
There il great and general interest felt
at the Capital as we'll as in the country at
large in the trial Of the Virginia State
officials for contempt, now pending on a
writ OF habeas corpus before the United
States Supreme Court, as the issue joined
involves the settlement Of a constitutional
question of law between the State and
Federal Governments.
Another interesting case that may be
presented before the Court this week is
the appeal of the Chicago Anarchists.
The Preller murder case, Of At. LOUIS,
which has attained national notoriety, is
also before that tribunal.
The movement to have the next Ma
tional Democratic Convention meet in
Washington has materialized into call
for public meeting to consider the
project. As means to the desired end
it is the purpose of the Washingtonianst TO
give the Democratic Com mittee a grand
entertainment at its session here next
winter, IN the effort to capture that organ.
ization.
A Washington Judge has decidedly
original way Of disposing OF boycott"
our country's troublesome importation
from the Emerald Isle. His Honor de-
cides it to be a common conspiracy
"only that and nothing more"